Lots of Change
I was advised that I would have lots of coins while traveling in Japan, and sure enough, a handful collects in no time.
Just another benefit of using a Pasmo or Suica card instead of paper or coin currency.
Coffee Day 3
Bought from a vending machine in the Nakamise shopping arcade is this Georgia European canned drink. Very much welcomed trying to get accustomed to the time difference – in the afternoon in Japan but at night Hawaii time. Nothing great, but it did caffeinate my system.
Side note: there are no Day 1 or 2 entries since technically these were travel days.
Pasmo Cards Are Conveniently Expensive
Gotta say that using a Pasmo (or Suica) card in Japan is super convenient. But it also gets costly since it’s so easy to use. With all the traveling and snack purchasing from convenience stores and vending machines, I have to recharge my card a few times in just as many days.
My Japan Education: Nike ACG 07 KMTR
Just look at this new Nike creation, born from Nike Labs under the All Conditions Gear (ACG) label. The NikeLab ACG 07 KMTR is built for the urban commuter.
Featuring no laces but instead a draw string to tighten the upper and a forefoot strap secured by magnets, the KMTR is meant to be easily removed and worn. This setup sounds perfect for an experience in Japan where shoe removal is all too common.
Of course, I’m wondering about the overall support and stability of this shoe since there are no traditional shoe laces for lockdown. Granted, I really can’t see wearers working out in these, but they have to stay put.
Update: Looks like the KMTR is just about sold out.
Lots of WordPress Attacks Today
Don’t know why but Pulpconnection underwent a bunch of WordPress attacks today alone. Looks like the defenses held but scary nonetheless.
Transgressions from the Weekend
So over the weekend, I witnesseed two transgressions. The first was at a dance showcase at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Of course, the venue was darkened during the dance performances. Then this happened.
This older gentleman would bust out his iPad to take pictures. In the dimmed lighting, that screen was super bright, blinding those behind him. With a good view of his screen, the taken photos looked blurry, so I’m not sure what the point was. But it gets better. After some time, his iPad wouldn’t take pictures. For some reason, rotating the iPad fixed the issue (not sure why). But in the now rotated position, his attached keyboard had no where to go but up. So not only did the bright screen blind the audience, his upright keyboard doubled the height of his raised iPad thereby blocking the view of those further behind him.
The second trangression I have no photo evidence for because I was simply too slow and dumbfounded. On Saturday, at Nisshodo Candy Store, we were picking up some mochi for Mother’s Day. That little storefront was packed as others were picking up orders and making purchases. Behind us enters an older woman who tries to scurry past me, seemingly to try to get in the front of the line. But with the amount of patrons there, there really was nowhere to go.
When the cashier asks who’s next, she tries to go forward, but I already had my hand up. End of story right? Well, when it’s finally her turn, she asks the employee to check the back for other mochi, not wanting the ones in the display case. Not having any inventory in the back, the woman begins to point to specific individual mochi pieces. She’s telling the worker to move pieces so she can see the ones underneath. Keep in mind that the room is still packed as more customers are trying to file in. I missed the photo op and the expressions of all those behind her as she individually called out which piece of mochi she wanted. But I guess if she was getting these for her mother then her fastidiousness may have been justified.
My Japan Education: Samurai Gourmet
To get a sense of the Japanese cuisine, its preparation, its underlying meaning, and its flavor, you must watch the Netflix series, Samurai Gourmet. While some of the storylines are hokey, you can’t deny the attention to detail and focus placed on the featured food dishes. The closeups and the sounds of cooking fill the screen but sadly do not fill your appetite.
At little over 20 minutes per episode, watching Kasumi lead his retired life while having interludes with a feudal samurai is delicious entertainment.
My Japan Education: Forest Bathing
So there’s scientific backing that being in the presence of trees, known as forest bathing, has tangible health benefits? So says a Japanese national public health program that started back in 1982.
Just remember that when you enter a forest, pick up a rock, put a problem in, and drop it. You can pick up your troubles again when you leave but unlike other bathing in Japan, be sure to keep your clothes on while forest bathing,
My Japan Education: Kung Fu Girl Riesling
Okay, really this Kung Fu Girl riesling is produced in Washington State, but it pairs nicely with reading Japan travel books. 😉
My Yelp Review Banned
There’s a first for everything, and today I got my first banned review on Yelp. The email I received said that my review “fell outside our Content Guidelines as it did not appear to describe a customer experience.” Yelp’s Content Guidelines are available here.
So I do admit that I was hangry when writing the mobile review, but after reviewing the guidelines, I don’t see specifically where my review crossed the line. Here’s my verbatim review:
Can’t accommodate people even with open tables and counters. We were there ready to go. There were at least 3 tables open and prepped along with 5 counter spots, but the wait list was 90 minutes. Take out at a 20-min wait was suggested. It’s a reasonable alternative, but the open seating was still baffling. It was 11:38 so possibly 11:45 reservations were coming? No explanation given so I don’t know, and overall I don’t get it. Went elsewhere. Sad start.
***Update: Wait, reservations not taken?!?! I really don’t get it.
Like I said, hangry but no inappropriate content, no conflict of interest, no promotional content, no publicizing private information, no stealing intellectual property, no payment demanded, and all relevant describing my consumer experience.
Yes, my review was my personal experience with a local business. Granted that business was cut very short since the establishment could not accommodate my family. And really, that’s the crux of my review – the handling of the situation and lack of communication. There was no reason given for the 90-minute wait time, especially when there were open seats and tables available. After the fact, I had learned that reservations were not taken so even more so, why couldn’t we dine at the open available seats? No reason was given.
That’s really disappointing. It signaled that the business didn’t want our business and doesn’t respect their customers. Why not give any explanation of any sort? Too busy, not enough wait staff? For me, some reason would be better than leaving customers to come to their own conclusions (and poor Yelp review). From other reviews, I learned that the restaurant has a pager/notification system available, but that too was not communicated as being available.
I did appeal to Yelp asking for clarification on my review and where the transgression was. But the page does openly admit that “Although we rarely end up reversing our original decision, it doesn’t hurt to have someone else take a second look,” so while I don’t expect my review to be reinstated, I do respect the openness Yelp is demonstrating.
My Japan Education: Travel Books
So many travel books and so many online resources. So much to get educated on!
So far, my favorite travel guides are Lonely Planet Japan and Fodor’s Tokyo. Mainly, I like the layout of the information contained within these books.
Two Pics from the Iolani Fair
Two pictures I wanted to share from the 2017 Iolani Fair. While walking by the swing ride at night, I spontaneously took a picture of it illuminating the area. After looking at the picture more carefully, I noticed the dude standing cross armed aligned with the center of the ride. He almost looks purposefully posed for the pic.
Here’s a shot at the wiffle ball booth where one tossed ball in a colored ringed hole wins a prize. While not running the school, Mr. Cottrell is just another wiffle ball player who succumbed to the deceptive difficulty of this game of luck.
